Set at the foot of the mountains in northern Italy, Lake Garda is one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe and the largest lake in Italy. Located close to the lovely city of Verona at the edge of Dolomites, this beautiful Lake is captivating with a shoreline that stretches almost 160 kms.
Access to this lake depends on where you intend to visit in Lake Garda. There are a few beautiful villages by the lake such as Sirmione, Desenzano, Peschiera in the south of the Lake which can be approached by a train from Verona. However, Lazise, Bardolino, Castelletto, Brenzone and Malcesine can be accessed by bus from Verona.
Months of May-August is usually the most crowded especially in the village like Sirmione and Pescheira which are the best places to explore the villages and indulge in some fine cafes and restaurants by the lake enjoying the local delicacies by the gorgeous view of the lake. The months of September to April is the time to beat the crowds and enjoy the magnificence of the lake at its full glory with December-February being the off-season.
I would recommend to take a bus from Verona and get down at Bardolino and explore the entire stretch of the lake to the North on foot. It is the best way to spend the entire day walking by the lake without missing out on some of the most gorgeous views. Since I was there in the month of February it was cold in spite of being sunny which makes it all the more exciting to spend a day surrendering yourself to the stunning scenery of Lake Garda.
While walking by the shores of the Lake, you come across such lovely piers extending into the lake making it ideal for a person to just relax and let go to the wind-ruffled waters of the lake.
One of the best things to do is to sit by the lake and read a book or write your diary or have a bottle of wine or have lunch or just relax to the conversations with a friend or a loved one by just living in the moment all the while not being able to take your eyes off of the alluring view of the lake.
Lake Garda is dotted with gelato-colored buildings and cozy villages encircled by the surrounding mountains. Every where I would see one or two locals sitting by the Lake enjoying the warmth of the sun while reading a book, having a conversation, sipping wine or just riding a bicycle. It was not at all crowded and lack of tourists in these particular regions of Lake Garda makes it the best kept secret.
Who wouldn't want to their day to be gifted with such contrast of awesomeness with a constant line of trees and a tailor-made path for you on one side whereas a slowing moving, sensual blue waters of the lake on the other side with you enjoying the best of both worlds. You won't even realize how fast the entire day has passed by since the time you arrived at Lake Garda by the bus in the morning to the point when you are excited for the best spot to see the most awaited sunset of your life over the lake.
When it comes to sunsets and lakes, it is the perfect combination. Watching the lake engulf the slowly setting sun makes it one of the most beautiful sights in this world, magical, priceless and emotional.
Garda roughly translates to Place of Observation, which is fitting for a place like this with piers where one can sit with their feet dangling down having a beer or a bottle of fine Italian wine along with the Italian favorite, Pizza or a simple a Bruschetta. Trust me, it will be the best thing you have done in your life. An unforgettable memory etched in you forever.
This is what you have been waiting for since you have arrived at Garda. Best way to sit, rest your muscles and relax from having explored the lake on foot.
The twilight is blissful, soothing, sensual and gorgeous. It illuminates the water and makes you want to feel it with your hands. A sight so beautiful, takes some time to register that its even real. All worth the visit.
Sit for some more time as you walk along the lake kissed by the sunset on your way to Bardolino to catch a bus back to Verona, with a heavy-heart of course.
Lake Garda is a paradise for sunset and a place for someone looking to explore the untouched beauty of Italy without having to deal with the crowds. But that shouldn't be the only reason. This is a place which cannot be expressed by words and it shouldn't be either because nothing I say does justice to this place just like many other wonderful places in this world.
A place where you can just sit, forget about everything else and live in the moment. No thoughts in your mind except for "I must have done something spectacular in life to deserve to be at a place like this blessed with a moment like this".